STEP NINE: Imagining Implications

The implications of a conclusion are the things that would follow if the conclusion is true: ʺIf this were so, what else would happen?ʺ In other words, where does the argument lead?

If ʺmight makes rightʺ is a true conclusion and the most powerful people in society ought to control social life, here are a few implications:

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society will always be at war, as forces compete for control;

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weak or non‐combative people will have no say in public affairs;

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democratic elections will not be needed.

If the main point advocated in your document came true, then what would follow? If the author’s preferred outcome is accomplished, what else will follow? How will the world be different? Take a few minutes to do the following:

1.

Restate the main point in your own words

2.

List several implications of it.

3.

Do the implications produce an unsupportable conclusion or undesirable